Sharefest could use more green thumbs in downtown Rockford

ROCKFORD — Rockford Sharefest is calling all gardeners to help get more than 3,000 plants in the ground downtown by Saturday.

Plants arrived on trucks Monday and Tuesday, but there aren’t enough volunteers on the books to get the job done. Anyone who gardens at home, likes to work in the yard or has experience with landscaping is asked to donate a few hours in the next few days to help give downtown a curb-appeal makeover.

Volunteers also are needed at Roosevelt Community Education Center, the second location in this year’s two-prong effort.

The Rockford Sharefest Schools Project takes thousands of volunteers each summer and organizes a massive clean-up and renovation project, typically lasting nine days. Previous Sharefests have focused primarily on school buildings. This is the first year for downtown.

Night shifts have been added to the downtown schedule Wednesday and Thursday to attract more volunteers.

“People who like to plant, get out in the garden and get their hands dirty ... man, we need them,” Executive Director Creig Day said. “We’re trailing a little bit in volunteers this year. We’ve had about 825 at Roosevelt so far and about 200 downtown.”

Sharefest wraps up Saturday.

Who can volunteer

Anyone older than 12 can volunteer, but 12- to 15-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult (18 or older). All tools and supplies are provided, as are water and snacks. Volunteers receive a Sharefest T-shirt and are asked to wear closed-toe shoes for safety.

How to volunteer

Register at rockfordsharefest.com or on location at Roosevelt, 978 Haskell Ave., or downtown at the southeast corner of Madison and East State streets.

When to volunteer

Sharefest is offering shifts from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., at both sites; 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at both sites; and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Roosevelt. Sharefest leaders are willing to work with volunteers and their schedules if they can’t work a full shift or need to arrive late.

Scope of work

This year’s effort involves a lot of painting, reorganizing, cleaning and planting.

Roosevelt is home to Roosevelt Alternative High School. The building was erected in 1922. Efforts will focus on a complete cafeteria remodel, library upgrades, window cleaning, painting and woodwork restoration.

Work downtown will focus on lamp posts, planters, benches, sidewalks and general curb appeal along East State from Third to Main.